“It is only until you have carried your own water that you know the value of it.” African proverb.

Writing for our COP26 special publication, The Scottish Beacon, Chinyanta Kabaso looked at the importance of climate justice in the struggle against at climate change - and how young people with the YCSA have been working towards a more diverse climate movement.

By Chinyanta Kabaso, Development Worker - YCSA Glasgow

Photo by Dani Bowers

Climate change is, undoubtedly, the hottest topic right now (pun intended.) Global temperatures continue to rise at an alarming rate, with the last six years recorded as the hottest ever by the World Meteorological Organisation. Pressure is mounting on world leaders to find big solutions. One issue that cannot be ignored in these discussions is climate injustice.

It is well known that the majority of the human population care most about things that directly affect them. We are more likely to donate to a cause if we can relate to the issue personally. We care more about issues when we can see firsthand how important they are. When it comes to climate change, however, its direct effects are not experienced in the same way by everyone.

The countries least responsible for climate change will experience the worst effects. According to the World Resources Institute, countries in Africa are responsible for just three percent of global CO2 emissions, yet these are the people most likely to have their livelihoods destroyed.

As climate change causes water shortages, women living in rural areas of the Global South are having to walk even further to collect water, or keep young girls home from school to assist with these duties. In central African countries like Chad, droughts and rainfall are displacing people from their homes. In Bangladesh, cyclones and storms are threatening the lives of millions of people. In western countries, the visible impact of climate change is not yet as extreme. While some areas in such countries have experienced more flooding, warmer summers and other issues, the biggest change observed by the average person may just be in their energy bill.

For there to be climate justice, wealthier countries of the Global North must take on greater responsibility in reducing their carbon footprint as well as protecting communities that are worst affected due to historic, systematic and institutional racism.

Most importantly, climate justice can only happen when there is a diversity of voices. Climate literacy education must be delivered to people who are under-represented and who have struggled against injustice.

YCSA Young Leaders producing a climate change film

At the ‘Mending Our Planet’ project at Youth Community Support Agency in Glasgow, we have been working towards a more diverse climate movement. We deliver activities and educational courses that encourage young black and minority ethnic people to be involved in the climate change campaign.

Earlier this year, the young people on the project produced a film titled “Our Take on Climate Change” which was shown in screenings to the community. The film reflected their learnings about climate change from taking part in the project. One young person showed the impact of textile waste in their home country of Sierra Leone, waste which is mainly produced by the consumptive lifestyle of the west. It is important to have a diverse range of voices, as only people who have experienced the effects of climate injustice can truly convey the problems and solutions that are needed. As the important conversations and decisions are made, we have to make sure the voices of the under-represented can be heard.